Annual event provides pathways for entrepreneurs and social enterprises

The second annual Startup Vikes event will be held Friday, April 24^th through Sunday April 26^th and will offer developers, designers, marketers, inventors, entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts an opportunity to share ideas, form teams, build prototypes and launch a business within one weekend.

Using Lean Startup methodologies, the weekend event begins on Friday with pitches, voting for the top ideas and team formation. A series of workshops guide participants through building a business including business modeling, customer development, branding, revenue/financial models, legal and pitching to investors.

This year, Startup Vikes has partnered with SEA Change, Northeast Ohio’s social enterprise accelerator. This partnership allows for a track for social enterprises using the same methodologies developed for startup business enterprises.

A Cash Infusion and Prize Packages are awarded to the top three businesses and social enterprises formed from the weekend.

“Startup Vikes provides a pathway for entrepreneurship,” said Colette Hart, senior director for the Centers of Outreach and Engagement. “It demonstrates 91������Ʒ’s commitment to providing innovative programing that engages beyond the classroom and impacts the greater community.”

Tickets are $39 for students and $79 for community members and include all workshops, meals, snacks, resources and coffee for the weekend. Registration is at: